The Tampa Police Chaplains are appointed by the Chief of Police on a volunteer basis to be an aid to department personnel, to provide spiritual guidance, pastoral counseling, comfort in times of crisis and to facilitate communication between people in crisis and spiritual advisors.
Eligibility and Qualifications:
- Be ecclesiastic endorsed or an ordained clergy from a cross-section of the religious community
- Successful completion of the background screening process
- Completion of the Citizen’s Academy (to apply, go to https://www.tampa.gov/tampa-police-citizens-academy-application)
- Interview with Law Enforcement Chaplain Liaison prior to submission of applicant’s name to Chief of Police for approval
- Participation in, and completion of, the International Conference of Police Chaplains (ICPC) Training Program within two years of acceptance in the department’s Chaplain Program or as determined by the Tampa Police Department’s Law Enforcement Chaplain Liaison, in accordance with guidelines set forth by the ICPC and the Tampa Police Department’s Training Unit. It will be the sole responsibility of the Chaplain to obtain and fund this training. If this training is not completed within the two-year time frame, a request may be made via the chain of command asking for a one-year extension which may be granted by the Chief of Police or his designee
- Willingness to serve on a 24-hour call basis
- Chaplains are required to interact with departmental personnel a minimum of eight hours per month. This may be through association at roll calls, in-service training, or ride along